At a Glance
- 4-year-old Johnathan Everett Boley found dead 2 miles from home.
- Father arrested on explosives-related and chemical endangerment charges.
- Body discovered with living dog; neighbors heard explosions weeks before.
- Why it matters: The case raises concerns about unexplained explosions near families and the safety of missing children.
Johnathan Everett Boley, a 4-year-old who vanished in Alabama on New Year’s Eve, was found dead near his home on Friday, and his father has been arrested on multiple charges.
Discovery of the Body
Sheriff Nick Smith announced the location and condition of the boy’s body.
Sheriff Nick Smith stated:
> “We have located Johnathan, and Johnathan is deceased,”
The body was located approximately 2 miles from the family’s home, and the boy’s dog was found with him and remained alive.
- Last seen at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday near Highway 195, in a wooded area of Jasper, Alabama.
- Wore a yellow Mickey Mouse shirt, black pants, and Paw Patrol shoes.
Father’s Arrest and Explosives
The father was arrested on an explosives-related charge and two counts of chemical endangerment of a child.
Sheriff Nick Smith explained:
> “Explosive devices were found on the child’s father’s property during the search and law enforcement had to take care of the devices before they could execute a thorough search warrant.”
> “The charge had ‘nothing to do’ with the search for Johnathan.”
The father, a former military member, was also charged with unlawful manufacture of a destructive device or bacteriological weapon.
- Explosives found on the property required special handling.
- Charges: explosives-related, chemical endangerment, unlawful manufacture of a destructive device.
Family and Community Context
Johnathan’s parents are separated; his mother moved to Florida last year. The father was granted five days a year for visitation under a custody agreement.
Sheriff Nick Smith noted:
> “Johnathan’s parents are separated, and the child’s mother moved to Florida last year. As part of the custody agreement, the father was given five days a year for visitation, Smith said.”
> “The mother went to Alabama on Wednesday evening and is cooperating with authorities, according to the sheriff.”
Neighbors reported hearing explosions for weeks before the missing-person report. One neighbor heard an explosion at about 4 a.m. the morning before the report.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. | Johnathan last seen near Highway 195 |
| Wednesday, evening | Mother arrived in Alabama |
| Friday | Body discovered 2 miles from home |
| Friday | Father arrested on explosives-related charge |
Key Takeaways
- Johnathan Everett Boley was found dead near his home after being missing since New Year’s Eve.
- His father faces explosives-related and chemical endangerment charges.
- Explosives on the father’s property were handled before a search warrant was executed.
The tragic discovery underscores the urgency of investigating unexplained explosions in residential areas and the importance of swift action in missing-child cases.
